I’m super excited to be testing a new blogging platform that will be unveiled publicly at BlogWorld & New Media Expo in New York next month. Overblog (client) is one of the top blogging platforms in Europe. Until now, they haven’t had a U.S.-focused product. That all changes with not just an English version of the France-based company’s platform, but a whole new platform.

No, I’m not testing Overblog here on Social Media Explorer. I’m running my personal blog, Falls, Off The Rocker, with it. In fact, Overblog’s new platform is actually focused on the personal blogger. The appeal for me was the fact they’ve built the new platform with life streaming in mind. I’ve connected my Instagram and Facebook accounts so that my blog is updated with the pictures and original Facebook posts I share. You can connect Twitter, YouTube, Foursquare and more (Google+ and LinkedIn are in the works), but I found those connections to make the blog rather noisy, so I’ve chosen not to use them.

The concept of life streaming isn’t new. FriendFeed and similar platforms like Louisville-based Profilactic popularized the idea in the 2007-2008 time frame. As Twitter and Facebook grew more popular and most services build pass-through functionality to the larger social networks, the life streaming concept faded a bit. But those concepts weren’t centric around someone’s blog. They were focused on their social activity. Overblog’s new platform gives you that blog-centric focus where the platform that you use to share your stories and ideas can also share your chosen social activity in a compelling way.

I’m also excited about the concept of pulling your social content on to your own blog so that you can archive and own it more confidently. Yes, I still advocate for use of services like Backupify (I’m a stakeholder there), but this is a nice way to own your content, or at least a version of it.

The theme I’m currently using on Falls, Off The Rocker mirrors the Facebook timeline design a bit. For what I’m doing with the blog — sharing personal stories and observations as well as social updates and pictures with my personal friends and family members — it works very well.

But what I’m betting you’d really like is a chance to kick the tires yourself, right? Okay! I have 50 private BETA invite codes to give away. What I need you to do to get them is be one of the first 100 individuals (you can manage more than one blog with your account, so no need to fight for more than one invite) to comment below and ask for an invite. But you’d better ask for an invite in a kick-ass, cool way. Like, “Bring The Heat, Clemmons!” or “Daddy Wants a New Blog, Fat Man!” Have fun, but keep it clean.

And then I’d like you to share this post on LinkedIn (you’re welcome to share it elsewhere, too, but there’s a reason for the LinkedIn thing … I’m testing something). Share it on LinkedIn with a note like this: “Jason Falls is giving away BETA invites to Overblog’s new platform. If you’re a blogger, you should check this out!” Be sure to link back here. No need to do it with any specific URL shortener. In fact, I’d appreciate it if you just used the LinkedIn button here or copy-pasted the URL directly. I’ll fill you in on the LinkedIn test later.

That’s it! Fun comment and a LinkedIn share!

Be sure to drop your email (won’t be shared) in the comment field requiring it below, too. I need to email you the code, right?

And please – Once you start testing Overblog, use their feedback and support links at the bottom corner of your browser window. They want this platform to sing. It only will if you help them with feedback!

Let’s dive in gang!

About the Author

Jason Falls

Jason Falls is the founder of Social Media Explorer and one of the most notable and outspoken voices in the social media marketing industry. He is a noted marketing keynote speaker, author of two books and unapologetic bourbon aficionado. He can also be found at JasonFalls.com.

Thanks for commenting and sharing the post. Here’s your invite to Overblog!
Just go to http://over-blog-kiwi.com and register. Use this invite code (unique to you … don’t share):

2a459380709e2fe4ac2dae5733c73225ff6cfee1

And you’re in. Use the Overblog Feedback & Support tab (lower right corner of your browser window once logged in) to offer feedback, input or ask questions of the support team. And feel free to blog, tweet, etc., about your experiences. The Twitter handle, if you’d like to communicate with them there, is @Overblog_Eng …

Thanks for asking for the invite. Enjoy and let us know what you think about Overblog.

Hello Jose’. I’ll need an email address. You can send it to me at jason – at – socialmediaexp.wpengine.com! Thanks!

marketingveep

Does a girl need to cut in line to get a part of the action? I’d dig the chance to kick the Overblog tires. I’ve been a techno tinker-er since 199….wait, there’s no need to bring age into this discussion.

i don’t like idea of free platform for blog i think better to buy some hosting

Blend Feed

Thanking you for the invite to blog first article which is a recipe for the world’s tastiest healthy muffin.
Hope you try it, you won’t be feeling hungry all the time because of all the nutritious fibre foods.
Much peace!

Jason, Lets call this request the Exchange in the Exchange District…if you know anything about Winnipeg Manitoba. I had a request to create something for our Youth Exchange program Rotary International District 5550 (Central Canada) and your “Overblog” is exactly what I need. If I could get a copy it would be much appreciated.

Hey Rotary District 5550 – I’ll need an email address. If you commented using Twitter or Facebook to login to comment, I don’t see an email address on the backside of the system. Please email me one at jason – at – socialmediaexp.wpengine.com.

Thanks for commenting and sharing the post. Here’s your invite to Overblog!
Just go to http://over-blog-kiwi.com and register. Use this invite code (unique to you … don’t share):

9109c85a45b703f87f1413a405549a2cea9ab556

And you’re in. Use the Overblog Feedback & Support tab (lower right corner of your browser window once logged in) to offer feedback, input or ask questions of the support team. And feel free to blog, tweet, etc., about your experiences. The Twitter handle, if you’d like to communicate with them there, is @Overblog_Eng …

Thanks for asking for the invite. Enjoy and let us know what you think about Overblog.

Hey Cheryl. I’ll need an email address. If you used Twitter or Facebook to login to comment, the email doesn’t come through in the comment fields to me. You can send it to jason – at – socialmediaexp.wpengine.com.

Patrick Garmoe

Got any of those beta codes left big guy? The world’s been dying for one place where they can read all my Patrick Garmoe goodness. This platform sounds like it might be perfect. patrick (dot) garmoe at puredriven (dot) com.

Leopoldocardenas

Yo quiero Overblog!

Jade Dou

Is this work in China? I’d like to test, can I get an invitation? thank you

Neil Zee

I am a pretty big deal on the internets. I was the first person from Saskatchewan to ever log on to the internet.

Neil z

You know you wanna give me one, I am a pretty big deal on the internets.

Gotta have an email address, Colleen. Didn’t see one in the form field you submitted. Email me one – jason – at – socialmediaexp.wpengine.com.

William “GrillSgt” Gentry

I want to be ubercool like Jason and have an Overblog powered blog too, so Jason needs to pick me so I can increase my coolness. And it fits in with the fact that I’m planning out a new personal site to incorporate my online resume, posts about my hobbies and interests, the music I create, personally written editorials on current events, etc. I’d love to be able to include lifestreaming from selected social sites.

I’m going to need an email address, Kelly. You’re welcome to send it to jason – at – socialmediaexp.wpengine.com or you can comment again and enter it in the commenting form field (no need to do it in the comment).

I was just helping someone make a new choice in blogging systems and we ended up with the fact that what people need is a nice way of aggregating all their social media outpost content onto one platform. I’ve tried a number of solutions, including about.me, but still haven’t found what I’m looking for. I’d like to give Overblog a try. Thanks Jason!

I know what you’re thinking. “What would happen if I didn’t send David an Invote?” Well,
to tell you the truth, in all this excitement I’m not to sure what I would do. But being as this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in
the world, and would blow your head clean off, you’ve got to ask
yourself one question: Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk?

I’m going to need an email address, Tabitha. You’re welcome to send it to jason – at – socialmediaexp.wpengine.com or you can comment again and enter it in the commenting form field (no need to do it in the comment).

I’m going to need an email address, Jason. You’re welcome to send it to jason – at – socialmediaexp.wpengine.com or you can comment again and enter it in the commenting form field (no need to do it in the comment).

I’m going to need an email address, Star. You’re welcome to send it to jason – at – socialmediaexp.wpengine.com or you can comment again and enter it in the commenting form field (no need to do it in the comment).